Monday, March 10, 2008

A Rose by any other Name...

What's in a name? When I was named Kathryn after my mother's best friend, it seemed like every little girl or other in my class had some form of that name. There seemed like a million Cathys, Cathies, Kathys and on and on. I only got called Kathryn if my mother was mad at me and wanted to emphasize that I was in big trouble, so I associated Kathryn, my name, with negative feelings. When I entered the convent the practice of taking a religious name was still in practice. At last, I thought, I could be rid of the idea of being one of many Kathys.In fact, no one could have a name that was already in use, so I could be unique and not one of many. When I became a novice my religious name was Sister Mary David Mark. I loved the name David and had always envied my younger brother because he was named David. I found out it meant Beloved of God and I really wanted that name then. Not long after I got the name, however changes in religious life occurred, due in no small part to the Second Vatican Council. This was a world changing event at the time; rather like a spiritual Tsunami that swept through our world and especially the life of nuns. It was realized that the name given us at baptism was the beginning of our life long membership in the Christian family and that the life of a religious was a deepening of that life and journey, giving we who answered the call an opportunity to make a special commitment of faith. Therefore it only made sense as a sign of that thinking to invite us to choose to take our Christian names again. I didn't like how "Kathryn" sounded on me and was reluctant to give up "David, Beloved of God." My friends, however encouraged me saying how beautiful the name Kathryn was and how much quiet power it had. Besides, they said, it will suit you very well as you age. It's a graceful, elegant name. I really grew to love the name the more people whom I dearly loved said the name with loving tones instead of the scolding tones I had associated with it. Today I totally love that name.I know it is a sacred name and I know each of us carries a sacred name.The very first person to love me, my mother, gave me that name, a name she associated with a best friend, someone she loved and wanted to honor.I know today that each name carries a special vibrational frequency with that name that sounds throughout the universe and announces our arrival into this part of creation. Being a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary has made the power of names even more important. To honor and hold sacred the name, honors and holds sacred the person.

This is why I presently have a problem with the "political cockroaches" attempting to continue their fear mongering tactics. You know the way they work: associate a few names Like Hussein and Osama with terrorism and evil and then try to "whomp" up some trouble by trying to make an association with Hussein Obama. I just can't let something like this happen to some body's name without strongly objecting. Here, we in America, are a nation of people who after having been traumatized by a national tragedy, are duped into believing that the bad guys by the name of Hussein and Osama hurt us, therefore, justifying hurting others who are associated with those names. And while were at it, let's just be down on everyone who is Muslim, just in case. More fear and suspicion arises. More stirring up trouble and color coding terror. Then, when someone comes along that reconnects us to hope and goodness again and helps us look into the Mirror of Magnificence by reminding us what we can be and do in the world, as a people, the dupers try some tactic (because they know about the power of vibrational frequencies) to sully his name by trying to connect him with the bad guys. Names are just too precious and powerful to allow them to be degraded and taken in vain. I'm not fooled for a minuet by what is going on. All names are sacred. I've gotten really good "using the mute button" whenever I hear someone trying to change things to suit their own world view. So, I put this thought out to you and invite you to consider how you can best be the power or your Holy Name today and how you can lift up another by consciously honoring the name they carry. Who loved your name on you? May our Holy Names this day be frequency modulators for the world around us!

10 comments:

I don't like my name much.. but then I don't dislike it either.. it is just something I live with. I have many names I would choose if i could... and I have no idea why my parents chose it. I wish sometimes I had been given a family name. Sometimes, I think Robyn is too masculine for me. I would love to be called something magickal like Tatiana

Beautiful, powerful post! I so enjoyed our visit last weekend. It was pure delight to be in sacred space with you. And my sweetheart loves the blessing bowl I brought home to him.

I love the name Rebecca, which was given me at birth. My family always called me Becky growing up and I hated that name. From the age of 3 on, I insisted that my name was "Erbecca." Fifty plus years later, they still can't call me Rebecca and even accuse me of self-importance. It's so funny.

Naming is so important. I think the love from my mother in my given name comes through each time I hear it spoken.

As a child, I hated my name - Penny - so undignified, so 'juvenile'. When I was 13 I announced that I wanted to change my name and my father told me that he would file the papers, just tell him what name I wanted. I sat all evening writing out names that sounded so wonderful to me and so much better than Penny -- and then as I wrote I realized that I was already Penny - that even if I changed my name I'd always be Penny and so here I am. My father was a wise man!!

I read your post yesterday and had to ponder it for a while. I always hated my middle name, detested it is more accurate. Then when my 3rd daughter was born, it all fell into place. I was 37 at the time, my mother was 37 when I was born, and her mother was 37 when she was born. It was meant to be that this daughter would also be Thomasine (middle name), the 4t in line. And she is very proud of that name.

Choosing a name was so very important to us. We would sit and study that little person, call her by a name and see if it felt right. I remember my mother-in-law thought we were nuts, but each name was picked with love.

The other thing your post reminded me of was being in grade school in the 60's when the sisters started going back to their given names. My husband particularly remembers Sr. Clarissa (don't know the name she chose), but she came back for the new school year and was Sr. Clarissa. Not a usual name for a nun but so beautiful.

I'm found you from Miss R site and sure glad I did.Every Friday I do a thing called Friendly Friday and which I try to feature good news or it just plain good things.I like to feature new and old blogs and hopeful you don't mine me featuring yours.

I have to admit when I was younger I didn't like my give name "Dora" when I was in school Dora the explorer wasn't out and I was called "Dumb Dora" sense Dora the explore came about now my name has more of a positive theme to it.

I was name after my dad grandma and what I learn about her she was a very kind woman and now I'm glad I was name after her.

wow. what a profound idea. I have a name that is a full name, but go by a shortened version of it (a nickname). I always hated my full name growing up but now see how it sets me apart (it is very unusual) and how much power there is in that. I no longer cringe when I am referred to by my full name.